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What type of metal to make "flat windchimes"?
I am making a 4 foot sculpture based on sound. The "windchimes" will be flat and some will be triangular and others will be square. I don't even know if it is possible to get a ringing and tinkling noise out of a flat surface. Anyone know if this will work? And, if so, what kind of affordable metal would this work with? Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks.
2 Answers
- ?Lv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
Aluminum may work, you will have to find a fairly hard alloy.
Silicon bronze is used for making bells and might be suitable, but you have to get it cast to your shapes.
I would say the best bet is steel, 16 gauge to 1/8". The sound you get will depend on size. You can also change the tone by hammering it to slight curves which also hardens it.
I have had some interesting results from 9 gauge steel wire hung so it clangs on other pieces. and steel conduit works nicely and might be interesting when sliced length wise. http://www.mikegigi.com/firthm/chimes.htm
- ?Lv 79 years ago
Aluminum is both resonant and cheap. If you go to a metals dealer, it comes in different alloys which may have different resonant properties.
Brass is resonant as well, but currently rather expensive.
